![Bauchi Govt confirms one death of snakebite, HOTPEN](https://hotpen.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG-20240204-WA0019-1024x576.jpg)
By Muazu Hardawa Bauchi
The Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA) has confirmed death of one person from snakebite out of the 194 victims in the year 2023.
The disclosure was made by the Executive Secretary of Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed while addressing press conference to mark the 2024 World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) held at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Bauchi.
Rilwanu Mohammed explained that there were 92 males and 102 females treated for snakebites during the period while 13 of them were found to be free from snake venoms just as 196 others are using Echitab plus Antisnake venoms (ASV) tablets.
The BASPHCDA Boss assured that medical personnel manning the State Snakebite Hospital in Duguri have been well trained from different centres across the country and have been motivated by the government to perform.
According to him, “The State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has spent millions of Naira to ensure that the Hospital became well equipped and functional.”
“Victims of snakebites have now stopped going to Kaltungo in Gombe State for medical care, in fact, victims from Plateau State now come there for treatment.”
Rilwanu explained further that the consumables and other things required for the treatment of snakebites are readily available at the Hospital while the drugs have been made to become revolving in order to ensure availability and affordability.
He said- “Today, we gathered to commemorate World NTDs Day for the year 2024, as declared by the World Health Assembly. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Unite, Act, Eliminate NTDs.The aim is to raise awareness, assess progress, and outline future steps for elimination.”
According to him, “Bauchi State has been thoroughly mapped for all five Preventive Chemotherapy (PC) Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), including Onchocerciasis (River blindness), Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis (Blood in urine), Trachoma, and Soil Transmitted Helminths.”